Founder & Market Researcher
Why Insurance Valuations Matter
If your jewellery were lost, stolen or damaged tomorrow, would your insurance policy pay enough to replace it? For most people, the honest answer is "I'm not sure" — and that uncertainty is exactly what a professional insurance valuation is designed to remove.
To get jewellery valued for insurance, you need to find a qualified valuer (registered with the IRV or JVA), book an in-person appointment, have your items professionally examined, and submit the resulting valuation certificate to your insurer. The whole process typically takes one to two weeks from booking to having your policy updated.
Without a current valuation, you risk being under-insured — meaning your payout after a claim won't cover the true cost of replacing the item at today's retail prices. Gold prices alone have risen significantly in recent years, and many people discover too late that their decade-old valuation is woefully outdated.
This guide walks you through every step of the process, from checking what your policy actually requires through to submitting the finished certificate and knowing when to get revalued.
Step 1: Check Your Insurance Policy Requirements
Before you spend anything on a valuation, start by reading your insurance policy or calling your provider. You need to understand three things: the single item limit, the specified items threshold, and what documentation your insurer actually accepts.
Most UK home insurance policies include a single item limit — typically between £1,000 and £2,000 — which is the maximum they will pay for any one item unless it is individually listed (or "specified") on your policy. If you own jewellery worth more than this limit, you need to declare it separately and provide a professional valuation to support the declared value.
What to check in your policy
- Single item limit: The maximum payout per item without specifying it individually (usually £1,000–£2,000)
- Valuable items aggregate: Some policies also cap total valuables at a percentage of your contents sum insured (often 33%)
- Accepted evidence: Whether your insurer requires a formal valuation certificate, or will accept a recent receipt or grading report
- Valuation age limit: Most insurers require valuations to be no more than 3–5 years old
- Valuer requirements: Some insurers specify that the valuer must hold particular qualifications or registrations
If you have a collection of lower-value costume jewellery or fashion pieces worth under the single item limit, those are typically covered under your general contents insurance and do not need individual valuations. Focus your time and budget on higher-value pieces — engagement rings, inherited jewellery, watches, and anything with significant gemstones.
Step 2: Find a Qualified Valuer
The quality of your valuation depends entirely on who performs it. Not all jewellers are qualified valuers, and not all valuers produce certificates that insurers will accept. Here is what to look for — and what to avoid.
- IRV — Institute of Registered Valuers (part of RICS), the leading professional body for valuers in the UK
- JVA — Jewellery Valuers Association, a specialist body requiring annual CPD and adherence to a code of practice
- Gem-A / FGA / DGA — Gemmological Association qualifications, demonstrating formal training in gemstone identification and grading
- NAG — National Association of Goldsmiths registered valuer, widely recognised across the trade
- Professional indemnity insurance — essential protection that covers you if a valuation error causes financial loss
You can verify a valuer's registration by searching the IRV or JVA online directories. A reputable valuer will be happy to share their credentials and will typically display them on their website or in their premises. If they are reluctant to provide this information, treat it as a red flag.
- Valuers who offer to buy the jewellery they are valuing — this is a conflict of interest
- Certificates without the valuer's qualifications, signature, or registration number
- Unusually low fees that suggest a cursory assessment rather than a thorough examination
- High-pressure tactics to inflate values or push you towards a particular insurer
- No professional indemnity insurance — leaving you exposed if the valuation is wrong
For more on what to expect from a professional valuation, see our guide to jewellery valuation costs which breaks down pricing by item type and complexity.
Step 3: Prepare Your Items
A little preparation before your appointment helps the valuer work more efficiently and ensures nothing is overlooked. You do not need to do anything elaborate — just follow these steps.
Clean your jewellery gently. A quick soak in warm water with a drop of mild washing-up liquid, followed by a soft brush, removes surface dirt and lets the valuer see the piece clearly. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners for delicate stones like emeralds, opals, or pearls, as these can cause damage. If in doubt, leave the cleaning to the professional.
Gather your documentation. Bring anything you have that relates to the item's history and value:
- Original purchase receipts
- Previous valuation certificates
- Diamond or gemstone grading reports (GIA, IGI, HRD or similar)
- Certificates of authenticity for branded items (Cartier, Tiffany, etc.)
- Photographs showing the item when new
- Any repair or modification records
These documents are not strictly required — a qualified valuer can assess an item entirely from the physical evidence — but they speed up the process and can provide useful context. A GIA report for a diamond, for example, saves the valuer from independently assessing every aspect of the stone.
Make a list. Write down every item you plan to have valued and take it with you. This prevents the all-too-common situation of arriving at the appointment and forgetting a piece still sitting in your jewellery box at home.
Step 4: The Examination Process
This is where the professional expertise comes in. A proper insurance valuation is a thorough, methodical examination — not a quick glance and a guess. Here is what happens during a typical appointment.
The valuer will begin by examining each piece under a jeweller's loupe (a 10x magnification lens) to assess the overall condition, identify hallmarks, and inspect gemstone settings. For more detailed work, they may use a binocular microscope.
Each item will be weighed on calibrated electronic scales, accurate to 0.01 grams for metal weight and 0.001 carats for loose gemstones. Weight is a critical factor in determining both metal and gemstone values.
Metal purity is tested using an XRF (X-ray fluorescence) analyser — a non-destructive device that determines the exact composition of the metal. This has largely replaced the older acid-testing method, which could leave marks on the piece. XRF confirms whether a ring marked as 18ct gold is genuinely 75% gold, or whether there are discrepancies.
For diamonds and gemstones, the valuer will use diamond testers (thermal conductivity probes), refractometers, spectroscopes, and UV lights to verify stone identity and assess quality factors such as colour, clarity and cut. Measurements are taken with precision callipers or gauge plates.
Throughout the process, each piece is photographed from multiple angles. These images become part of the valuation certificate and serve as vital identification records for your insurer in the event of a claim.
Equipment used during a professional valuation
The entire examination for a single ring typically takes 15 to 20 minutes. More complex pieces — such as a multi-stone bracelet or an antique brooch — may take longer. Your valuer should never rush the process; accuracy is far more important than speed.
Step 5: Understanding Your Valuation Certificate
The valuation certificate is the document you submit to your insurer and the record you rely on if you ever need to make a claim. It needs to be thorough, accurate and professionally presented. Here is what a proper certificate should include — for a detailed breakdown, see our guide to valuation certificates.
- Full description: Detailed narrative of the item including metal type, hallmarks, gemstone details (cut, colour, clarity, carat weight), and construction method
- Measurements: Dimensions in millimetres and weight in grams, plus individual gemstone measurements where applicable
- Photographs: Colour images from multiple angles, clearly showing the item and any distinguishing features or hallmarks
- Valuer details: The valuer's name, qualifications, registration numbers (IRV, JVA), and professional indemnity insurance details
- Replacement value: The stated insurance replacement value in pounds sterling, based on the cost of obtaining a like-for-like replacement from a reputable retailer
- Valuation date: The date the examination was conducted — this determines when the certificate starts its validity period
- Signature: The valuer's handwritten or digital signature, confirming the authenticity of the report
When you receive your certificate, read it carefully. Check that the description matches your item, the photographs are clear and correctly labelled, and the replacement value feels reasonable given what you know about the item. If anything looks wrong — a misquoted carat weight, an incorrect metal type, or a value that seems too high or too low — raise it with the valuer before finalising the certificate.
Keep the original certificate in a safe place (a fireproof safe or your bank), and store a digital copy separately — either in cloud storage or emailed to yourself. If your home is burgled or damaged by fire, you do not want the valuation certificate to be lost along with the jewellery.
Step 6: Submitting the Valuation to Your Insurer
With your certificate in hand, the next step is to send it to your insurer so they can update your policy. How you submit it depends on your provider:
- Online portal: Many modern insurers let you upload a scanned copy or photograph of the certificate through your account dashboard
- Email: Some providers accept certificates by email to their claims or amendments team — check your policy documents for the correct address
- Post: Traditional insurers may ask for the original or a certified copy by post — always send by recorded delivery
- Via your broker: If you arranged your insurance through a broker, send the valuation to them and they will handle the rest
Adding specified items to your policy will almost certainly increase your premium. The insurer is now covering specific high-value items at their stated replacement cost, which represents a higher risk. The premium increase is usually modest — typically 1–3% of the item's insured value per year — but it is worth factoring in. Remember, paying a slightly higher premium is far better than being under-insured when you need to make a claim.
Once submitted, your insurer will review the valuation and confirm the changes to your policy, usually within 5 to 10 working days. They may come back with questions if the replacement value is significantly higher than expected or if the certificate is missing information. In rare cases, they may request a second opinion — but this is unusual if your valuer holds recognised credentials.
After your policy is updated, check the new schedule to make sure each item is listed correctly with the right value. Keep a copy of the updated policy alongside your valuation certificate.
Step 7: The Re-Valuation Timeline
Getting your jewellery valued is not a one-time exercise. Values change over time as precious metal prices fluctuate, gemstone markets shift, and retail prices evolve. If you do not keep your valuations current, you risk being under-insured — potentially by a significant margin.
The standard recommendation is to have your jewellery revalued every three to five years. Most insurers explicitly state this in their policy wording, and some will not pay out on a claim if the valuation is significantly outdated. Three years is safer; five years is the absolute maximum.
When to revalue sooner than scheduled
- Gold or platinum prices spike: A significant rise in precious metal prices (20%+ over a short period) means your replacement value has increased and your existing valuation may understate the true cost
- You modify or repair a piece: Resizing a ring, resetting a stone, or adding stones changes the item — and the old certificate no longer accurately describes it
- You inherit or receive new jewellery: Any new additions to your collection need their own valuation before they are properly insured
- Your insurer requests it: Some insurers proactively ask for updated valuations at renewal, particularly for high-value items
- You change insurer: A new provider may want fresh valuations rather than accepting certificates prepared for your previous insurer
Think of re-valuation as routine maintenance for your insurance cover. Just as you would not drive a car for five years without an MOT, you should not leave your jewellery insurance without periodic checks. The cost of a revaluation is a fraction of what you could lose from an under-insured claim.
If you are ready to get started, you can request a valuation through our platform and be matched with a qualified valuer in your area.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a jewellery valuation for insurance cost?
Most professional valuers charge between £50 and £125 per item, depending on complexity. Simple items like plain gold bands sit at the lower end, while intricate pieces with multiple gemstones or antique jewellery take longer to assess and cost more. Many valuers offer reduced rates when you bring several items in one appointment. Read our full guide on jewellery valuation costs for a detailed breakdown.
Do I need a valuation for every piece of jewellery I own?
Not necessarily. Most home insurance policies include a general contents limit that covers lower-value items without individual valuations. You typically only need a professional valuation for items worth more than your policy’s single item limit — usually between £1,000 and £2,000. Check your policy wording or call your insurer to confirm the threshold. Items below this limit are covered under your total contents sum insured.
Can I use a receipt instead of a valuation certificate?
A purchase receipt can sometimes satisfy your insurer for recently bought items, but it has limitations. Receipts do not account for market price changes, they may not include the level of detail insurers expect (such as gemstone specifications), and they become less useful as time passes. Most insurers prefer a proper valuation certificate, and some require one regardless of whether you have a receipt. If your jewellery is more than two years old, a professional valuation is strongly recommended.
How long does a jewellery valuation appointment take?
A typical appointment takes 30 to 60 minutes for three to five items. Each piece needs to be cleaned, weighed, measured, tested, photographed and described in detail, so the process is thorough rather than rushed. Very complex items — such as large diamond clusters or antique pieces requiring research — may take longer. Your valuer should give you a time estimate when you book.
What happens if I never get my jewellery valued?
If you make a claim on an unvalued item, your insurer will ask you to prove its value. Without a professional valuation certificate, you may need to rely on receipts, photographs, or bank statements — and the burden of proof falls on you. Insurers may settle for less than the replacement cost, or reject the claim entirely if they cannot verify the item’s existence and value. A valuation protects you from this risk.
Can I get jewellery valued online for insurance purposes?
Online valuations can provide a useful estimate, but most insurers require an in-person examination for formal valuation certificates. This is because the valuer needs to physically handle the item, test metal purity, assess gemstone quality under magnification, and take accurate measurements. Some valuers offer postal services where you send items by insured post, but a face-to-face appointment remains the gold standard accepted by all insurers.
Ready to get your jewellery valued?
Tell us what you need valued and we'll connect you with a qualified, registered valuer in your area. Most appointments can be booked within a week.